The Seven Stages of Happily Ever After

Five

I yawn as I trod down the steps, clad in my pajamas and messy bun. I've never slept so good in all my life: but I was determined to wake up earlier today since I knew Mom would be making breakfast. I smell the pancakes and bacon and my stomach growls in anticipation.

"Morning, kid." Dad greets as I kiss his cheek and sit next to him at the kitchen table. He looks me over, grinning in amusement. "How was your date?"

I blush, taking a swallow from the glass of water on the table. "It was amazing." I admit, crossing my legs Indian style and smiling over at him.

"Where'd he take you?" Dad asks, as he sips his coffee.

I share a smirk with Mom as she puts the pancake stack on a plate, both of us knowing Dad's about to be on Team Luke. "A history museum."

Dad raises his brows and I was right- he's impressed. "That's nice."

"I got a picture with Andrew Jackson's marble statue." I inform him, as Mom starts placing plates on the table.

"I've never seen a marble one." Dad muses, rubbing the underside of his jaw; he has stubble growing there, but he doesn't shave on vacation.

"Maybe we can go later today." Mom suggests, looking at me and frowning when I send her a sheepish grin. "What?"

"I might not be allowed entrance." I state slowly, laughter bubbling up my throat. I throw a hand over my mouth to hold it in, but a giggle slips out.

"What did you do?" Mom asks, smiling already.

"Em did something bad?" Matt enters, wiping his tired eyes, and plopping down beside of me.

"We just took a selfie with the statue." I admit, trying to sound as innocent as possible. Mom and Matt don't buy it, but my Dad does.

He frowns over at me, "What's wrong with that?"

"Dad, you can't take pictures in a museum." Matt states, smirking over at me. "You got kicked out?" He guesses, raising a brow when I shake my head.

They all stare expectantly at me, and I inhale a deep breath before recounting the entire daring escape. By the end, ever Baker is howling with laughter. Matt's laughing so hard a tear escapes his eye.

"That's amazing!" He laughs, clutching his stomach.

"Good lord, Em's found a trouble maker to rival her." Dad comments, still laughing with us.

"That's the type of story you tell grandchildren while you're sitting on a front porch recounting the glory days." Mom comments, grinning at me.

I blush, happy when the doorbell rings and I have a distraction because suddenly my brother and Dad have sobered up at the mention of grandchildren. Before any guy even thinks of proposing to me, they'll have to undergo an interrogation. I stand to go to the door, but Mom waves me off, heading that way herself. I chow down on some bacon, while my brother and Dad exchange a weary glance. I know they're about to ask if this thing with Luke could get serious so I'm eternally grateful when Mom comes back; except, she doesn't help because she's carrying a bouquet of roses.

"Now, that's how to win over a romantic." Matt comments, a small grin on his face as Mom hands me the roses. I look for a card but there isn't one. "Hey," Matt says, his voice surprised. I look up, curious as to what he's so shocked about: but realize it's because Rachel's here too.

"Those were sitting on the porch." She motions toward my bouquet with a grin, "But I had my hands full." She explains, showing us the pie in her hands.

I smirk, looking at my brother as he smiles at her. "And that's how you win a man over."

Mom takes the pie from Rachel, thanking her, before setting it next to the window. Matt leads Rachel to his chair and motions for her to sit while he grabs a chair from the dining room.